Staff & Board

Staff

Danni Askini (they/she)
Executive Director of National Programs
Danni@GenderJusticeLeague.org

(For direct support, please make an appointment with Meredith or Ishalaa)

About Danni

Danni has served for over 20 years as an activist, policy expert, and organizer in two-spirit, trans and LGBQIA+ communities across the United States and Europe. As our founding Executive Director, Danni helped lead Gender Justice League in expanding access to transition-related healthcare, banning conversion therapy throughout Washington, defeating 6 anti-trans legislative bills, crushing 2 anti-trans ballot measures, launching our mutual-aid project to support survivors of gender-based violence, and successfully producing 7 Trans Pride events in Seattle. In 2018, after being targeted by the Trump Administration, Danni was forced to seek asylum in Sweden, having been denied a passport to return home. Upon returning in 2020, after settling her case through the UN Human Rights Council, Danni relocated to Washington DC to work as a Senior Health Policy Analyst supporting the passage of the HEROES and CARES Acts through Congress. Danni is now based primarily in Washington, DC and splits her time in Seattle where she has deep roots.

Kai Aprill-Tomlin, MSW (he/him)
Communications Manager
Kai@GenderJusticeLeague.org | (206) 538-0423 

About Kai

Kai is a social worker, abolitionist, artist, and transsexual menace based in Seattle.

Kai brings 10+ years of direct service experience working with youth & adults experiencing chronic homelessness, mental health issues, substance use & addiction, and trauma; and an equally lengthy track record advocating for trans-affirming, anti-racist, and accessibility policies and practices across workplaces, organizations, and government. 

In his free time, Kai enjoys going to drag shows, paddle boarding, collecting bones, making art, and spending time with his partner and their two dogs. 

Meredith Matthews (she/they)
Survivor Advocate
Meredith@GenderJusticeLeague.org | (206) 486-2629

About Meredith

Meredith, a proud Gullah Geechee woman hailing from the vibrant coast of South Carolina, is a dedicated advocate for political empowerment, reproductive justice, abolition, and community healing. Growing up steeped in the rich traditions of her Gullah Geechee heritage, she learned early the importance of community, resilience, and activism. Harnessing these values, she has become a prominent figure in local and regional politics, working tirelessly to uplift marginalized voices and enact meaningful change.

Her passion for gender justice has driven her to the forefront of the movement, advocating for the rights of all individuals to make informed choices about their bodies and futures. She is a vocal supporter of comprehensive sex education, access to healthcare, and the destigmatization of reproductive health.

In her commitment to abolition, she actively works to dismantle systems of oppression, advocating for transformative justice practices that prioritize healing and restoration over punishment. She believes in the power of communities to address harm and conflict in ways that foster growth and reconciliation.

Beyond her activism, she is deeply involved in community healing efforts, recognizing the intergenerational trauma caused by historical injustices. She is a firm believer in the healing power of storytelling, art, and cultural preservation, seeking to uplift and preserve the unique cultural heritage of the Gullah Geechee people. Through her work, she embodies the spirit of her ancestors, fighting for a future where all individuals are empowered, all communities are healed, and justice prevails. 

In her free time she loves painting, fishing, and bonding with her husband (Shawn), her son (Ulysses) and her two furbabies (Lyle & Ash). 

Ishalaa Ortega (she/her)
Survivor Advocate
Ishalaa@GenderJusticeLeague.org 

About Ishalaa

Ishalaa Ortega is a Mexican Immigrant Human Rights Activist, Entertainer, Singer, Songwriter, and Theater Writer. She is an experienced Care Coordinator and Operations Supervisor. 

Ishalaa has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish Literature and Political Sciences from Hunter College. 

As an activist, Ishalaa has been part of an international movement to help and promote immigrant people’s rights. She partnered with Immigration Equality in different projects to uplift Immigrant communities’ voices and stories, all the way up to the U.S. Congress, to make changes to the current laws negatively impacting LGBTQ+ immigrants’ lives.

Spanish

Ishalaa Ortega es una migrante mexicana, activista de derechos humanos, artista, cantautora y escritora de teatro. Ishalaa es una experimentada coordinadora de salud y supervisora de operaciones. Ishalaa se graduó de la universidad como Licenciada en Literatura Española y Ciencias Políticas en Hunter College. Como activista, ha podido formar parte de un movimiento internacional para ayudar y promover los derechos de las personas migrantes. Se asoció con Immigration Equality en diferentes proyectos, elevando hasta el congreso de los Estados Unidos las voces e historias de comunidades inmigrantes, para hacer cambios a las leyes migratorias y de detención que impactan negativamente las vidas de personas LGBTQ+ migrantes.

Katie Bishop (she/her)
Administrative Assistant
Katie@GenderJusticeLeague.org 

About Katie

Originally from Colorado Springs, Katie is a musician, audio engineer, and administrator in Seattle. As a queer neurodivergent woman, she channels her energy into the premise that every voice deserves to be heard. She is passionate about advocating for gender equality and reproductive rights, raising awareness about racial injustice, and fighting for LGBTQIA+ rights, as well as education on anti-capitalism, environmentalism, and intersectional feminism.

After working in the music industry for several years, she decided to follow her passion for activism and is active in community development with a special focus on education around Indigenous communities and uplifting small and minority owned businesses. She also does some audio engineering for youth musician showcases. 

She is a cat and plant mom and enjoys cooking vegan food, writing music, and exploring nature. 

Board of Directors

Coming soon

Sarah Moran (she/her)
Board Co-Chair
SarahMo@GenderJusticeLeague.org

About Sarah

Bio coming soon!

Coming soon

Oliver Webb (he/him)
Board Co-Chair
Oliver@GenderJusticeLeague.org

About Oliver

Oliver was born in Washington and spent most of his life here, with the exception of a few years spent in other West coast states as a child during the school years (summers spent in Washington). He worked with at-risk youth and adults, as well as formerly houseless individuals, in residential counseling before sustaining a permanent workplace injury that ended his career. He has spent nearly three decades in activism and volunteering, much of that spent in Seattle’s Queer community.

Oliver has been part of Trans Pride Seattle since 2017 and is the current Operations Director: overseeing security, medical, and accessibility. He is also head of security for various other prides and events throughout the region. He advocates for gender, accessibility, and housing needs for individuals regularly for the community, and is the Executive Director of Diversity Alliance of the Puget Sound.

Oliver recently moved to be closer to his partner and slow things down a bit as he looks toward their future together.

Coming soon

Sam Mark (she/her)
Board Treasurer

About Sam

Sam was born and raised in Southern California where she still resides. She has a background in Food & Retail Management and Financial Services. She dedicates much of her time to humanitarian efforts after some harsh realizations of the oppression and dysfunctions that our society has been built upon. She received an online Certification for Leading Diverse Teams & Orgs in 2022 and became a Certified Tarot Advisor & Healer that same year.

You may recognize Sam and her partner, Aussie, from Netflix’s The Ultimatum: Queer Love. They continue to use their platforms to advocate for their 2SLGBTQIA+ & AAPI communities; Sustainability & Environmental Justice; Disability Justice; and destigmatizing & decolonizing Mental Health, Spiritual Entrepreneurship, and more. Sam is the Founder of The Conscious Altruism Movement – a space for building connections and fostering allyship by amplifying diverse voices and creating space for vulnerable dialogue and conscious reflection. She is excited to continue supporting and uplifting amazing organizations like Gender Justice League!

Coming soon

Zane Rapiñan (they/he)
Board Secretary

About Zane

Seattle born and raised. GSBA + Pride Foundation Scholar. Math and science tutor.

Identifies as: nonbinary. trans. queer. mixed-race filipinx. punk. gaymer. nerd.

Queer + trans activist on college campus and in workplaces. Lover of media, animals, history, politics, and resource sharing. Far left, prison abolitionist, supportive of reparations and decriminalizing SW, and lobbying for UBI. In solidarity with the movement for black and indigenous self determination and liberation, and determined to move against all oppression.

Coming soon

Aussie C. (pronouns: Aussie)
Board Member

About Aussie

Bio coming soon!

Coming soon

Delphine Brody (she/her)
Board Member

About Delphine

Bio coming soon!

Coming soon

Gabriel L. (he/him)
Board Member

About Gabriel

Bio coming soon!

Coming soon

Galaxy Marshall (he/him or she/her)
Board Member

About Galaxy

Bio coming soon!